By Starr Commonwealth
With grief, sadness is obvious. With trauma, the symptoms can go largely unrecognized because it shows up looking like other problems: frustration; acting out; difficulty concentrating, following directions, or working in a group. Often students are misdiagnosed with anxiety, behavior disorders, or attention disorders rather than understood to have trauma that’s driving those symptoms and reactions.
For children who have experienced trauma, learning can be a big struggle. But once trauma is identified as the root of the behavior, we can adapt our approach to help kids cope when they’re at school. Starr Commonwealth Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Caelan Soma offers these tips for understanding kids who have been through trauma plus strategies for helping them.
1. Kids who have experienced trauma aren’t trying to push your buttons.
If a child is having trouble with transitions or turning in a folder at the beginning of the day, remember that children may be distracted because of a situation at home that is causing them to worry. Instead of reprimanding children for being late or forgetting homework, be affirming and accommodating by establishing a visual cue or verbal reminder to help that child. “Switch your mind-set and remember the kid who has experienced trauma is not trying to push your buttons,” says Soma.
10 Things About Childhood Trauma Every Teacher Needs to Know
For Children With a Disability, a Higher Risk of Trauma
CSF written article Your Content Goes Here By Steven Ross Johnson, US News Research released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a larger share of children [...]
Stress & Trauma Toolkit for Treating LGBTQ in a Changing Political and Social Environment
CSF written article Your Content Goes Here By American Psychiatric Association Violence against the LGBTQ community has increased over recent years. In 2016, the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando shocked [...]
How Organizations Can Support LGBTQ Youth Facing Trauma
CSF written article Your Content Goes Here By Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma As an organization that supports children who have experienced trauma, it’s important to remember that every [...]
Trauma-Informed Care
CSF written article Your Content Goes Here By healthcaretoolbox.org A guide for patients and caregivers to advocate for trauma-informed care in all aspects of healthcare. Read Article [...]
After the Trauma: Helping My Child Cope
CSF written article Your Content Goes Here By The Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Nemours / Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children A [...]
The Power of Mindfulness
CSF written article Your Content Goes Here By Juliann Garey Mindfulness is a meditation practice that helps you calm down. It starts with focusing on your breathing. It helps [...]